Written By : Tony Stone on 02/01/2025

Categories: Match Report

Despite a blistering start, Henley just couldn’t hold on at 2nd place Stowupland, under extreme pressure throughout the 2nd half, Falcons equalising in the 95th minute to snatch a share of the points. Henley were forced into changes with Bell and Dozzell unavailable, which saw Cooper having to play at centre back, whilst Osborn and Clayton-Leeks were on the bench.

Falcons applied the pressure from the start, but failed to take advantage of an early chance, shooting narrowly wide. But it was Henley who took the lead, Graham rising highest to head home from a Hooley corner to make it 0-1 after ten minutes. Only two minutes later Henley stunned Falcons by making it 0-2, Cooper winning the ball and finding Hooley, he played in Ballard, who’s through ball was blocked, White then picked out Hooley, wide on the left, who took a touch before absolutely smashing the ball into the top corner from a narrow angle, with the Falcons keeper stationary, a real Christmas cracker, make sure you see the video.

Falcons took a few minutes to regain their composure, Hooley coming close again, his shot going just over the bar. But Falcons did work their way back in, and started applying the pressure. After 30 minutes Read made a terrific stop down low to his right, within a minute a great stop from the Falcons keeper again denied Hooley. Falcons were right back in it on 44 minutes, ex Hen Bull looping one over Read from just outside the box and showing his class by not celebrating, making it 1-2 at HT.

Th second half saw Falcons lay siege to the Henley goal, pinning the Hens back with a multitude of forced corners, which were bravely defended, Read pulling out an astonishing save after 55 minutes in particular. The relentless Falcons pressure limited Henley into trying to get forward on the break, but some very close offside decisions rendered those breaks ineffective. Despite digging in and putting their bodies on the line, in the 95th minutes Hart got a low shot away, which clipped off Cooper’s ankle to deceive Read and make it 2-2 with almost the last kick of the game.

Although it’s always hard to take a late equaliser, it’s nothing more than Falcons well deserved, their commitment, desire and workrate fully worthy of sharing the points. Henley’s MOTM was Cooper, as previously mentioned, playing out of position, he was an absolute colossus at the back.

Merry Christmas All